Your Feet
by Pablo Neruda
When I cannot look at your face
I look at your feet.
Your feet of arched bone,
your hard little feet.
I know that they support you,
and that your sweet weight
rises upon them.
Your waist and your breasts,
the doubled purple
of your nipples,
the sockets of your eyes
that have just flown away,
your wide fruit mouth,
your red tresses,
my little tower.
But I love your feet
only because they walked
upon the earth and upon
the wind and upon the waters,
until they found me.
please welcome the lovely and talented Allyce May as my co-judge
Your poem MUST adhere to the following:
1. must include the phrase “your…..”
2. must be about a physical aspect OR characteristic of the person you’re dedicating it to,
3. written in the same style as the example poems, and
4. show continuity of (one main) theme
and this too:
- this contest is NOT about feet but your poem may have it as theme
- you decide which aspect you want to write about, be it hair, voice, eyes, etc.
- tender, melancholic, sensuous, passionate – your choice again
- easy on the adjectives
- left-align, plain background
- free verse only
- simplicity, brilliance
- edit, wait for the words to “drop”
some more examples of what we’re looking for:
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/9121-Pablo-Neruda-Your-Laughter
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/46257-Pablo-Neruda-Your-Hands
You can say anything you want, yessir, but it's the words that sing, they soar and descend...I bow to them...I love them, I cling to them, I run them down, I bite into them, I melt them down...I love words so much...The unexpected ones...The ones I wait for greedily or stalk until, suddenly, they drop...[Pablo Neruda]
our own "your poems"
http://allpoetry.com/poem/4252669
http://allpoetry.com/poem/5447093
http://allpoetry.com/poem/4049823
nicolette & allyce
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on June 30
- Rewards: Gold: 2500, Silver: 1000, Bronze: 600, Honorable mention: 5 people
- Final notes: When judging this contest we took numerous things into consideration, including which of the 30 poems adhered to the guidelines more closely; which poems gave us that “Neruda-feel” and/or demonstrated similarity in style, voice, etc; which ones showed simplicity but were different, original, moved us, stayed with us; and, as this contest was very much about dedication, we also asked, “if I could have one of these poems written about me, which would it be?”
So, you can imagine what a tough task it was for us, lol! Both Allyce and I were impressed with the quality of entries and the wide variety of themes and gorgeous poetry you presented us with. Thank you so much for making the judging so very difficult for us. Congratulations to all of you!
A big thank also you to my co-judge, Allyce – as always, you were great and what a pleasure to have you as partner-in-poetry.
n. & a.
Contest Winners
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 5460311, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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• Commented on by judge. [remove]
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 5453886, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 5455373, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Bronze trophy winner
Honorable mention
Entries [21]
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• Commented on by judge.
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Your singing fingers...• Commented on by judge.
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I love the strain of your countenance
surrounding glittering eyes that do not speak;by wbiro 24 lines, 12 comments, on Jun 15 8:02 AM. In Within the Neruda Constraints• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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• Commented on by judge.
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The pumping organ
beneath the skin• Commented on by judge. -
When it is to dark to see your eyes...
When the love of a kiss may be mistaken for lust...• Commented on by judge. -
that live, breathe and are• Commented on by judge.
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by perfectsunset 22 lines, 9 comments, on Jun 15 4:55 PM. In Abstract, Pablo Neruda-inspired, Thoughts, noguest• Commented on by judge.
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unfathomable your eyes
after the rainby John Doe 45 lines, 33 comments, on Jun 17 9:49 PM. In Contemporary, Love, Nature, Inspired by Pablo Neruda, Noguest• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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When I can't face the day
from desolation's sorrow,• Commented on by judge. -
Your pulse;
I never noticed it before --by Lilac Moon 28 lines, 7 comments, on Jun 19 1:35 AM• Commented on by judge. -
I love your morning eyes.
The ones closed over by still pink petals,• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
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I had to post the contest again, as it just disappeared 2 hours after I've posted it. lolol.
MJ Donnely and Cannonsfire had already posted entries - I would open the contest up for pre-writes but ONLY for them!
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Bookmarked, this should have some amazing entries.
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we hope so, and we're looking forward to your entry!
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hmmm....interesting concept for a contest, but as you know, i am far too narcissistic to ever use the word "your" in a write
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hmmmm....and here i thought someone was having a positive affect on you. lolol
now, go write your "your poem", mr M
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Good luck to all
Ted E
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thanks, Ted E
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You're more than welcome
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beautiful
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hope it inspires you!
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I posted a poem in the early hours of this morning, in response to your 'hands' contest, but after finishing it I felt that you would not like it. I know you prefer poetry that has a simple elegance. I do too, but the poem I wrote had other ideas.
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I have left the link for you. Please do not feel the need to comment. I am merely showing you what your 'hands' contest inspired.
http://allpoetry.com/poem/5440963 -
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i will read it soon, Mariana
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rock away, girl
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Wow, okay, I entered your other contest yesterday, and I just found this one. I love your contest ideas! They not only push me out of my box, but they make me WANT to be pushed out of my box!
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- that, to me is the purpose and essence of a contest - so thank you, for saying it
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just want to say your contests are AMAZING.
Thank you. -
Oooh...definitely want to play in this rumpus room!
Bookmarked. -
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SO looking forward to your entry
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I have a question
Do you have to stick to one characteristic or can you use many?
Like eyes,
Smile
Laughter
Hands
of the same person? -
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We prefer you stick to one main characteristic, Daniela. You can bring in other aspects or characteristics, as in the example poem on this page, but the poem should carry one main theme. Hope that explains it
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Okay I'm in! tomorrow -- or later today since it's 2:30am
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Clarification please:
I noticed Neruda's poem was entitled "Your feet" and one of your rules said the poem had to include "your_____"
That doesn't mean the poem has to have a title like that does it? As long as somewhere within the poem there is, "your_____"? -
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yep, you're right. the poem does not need to have a title "your..." but it has to be about one main theme/aspect/characteristic about "your (something)"
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Very inviting contest but sorry for me for seeing this late and not being here often. I still had this bookmarked because I will be reading the entries.
I will write my piece and ask you to read it and give your critique.
Goodluck to everyone. -
this was a lovely contest idea. wish I had seen it sooner!
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Thanks for hosting a challenging and inspiring contest, Nic and Allyce - I shall enjoy reading some of these now everyone's entered. No doubt the judging is going to be very difficult; I don't envy you there
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Thank you for hosting. You honor me with the HM.
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Great contest and great winners. Congrats to all.
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Thank you for hosting, Nic & Allyce. Congratulations to Stuart, Kathleen, Peteskid, Danny, Darcy, Guy, Geo & Lavender & all the other entrants, too. Be well, Poets & Scribes.
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Many thanks Nic and Allyce, wonderful contest. Looking forward to your next Congrats to everyone
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I already have a next! You should go therrrrre.
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Thanks to Allyce and Nicolette-
a wonderful inspiration for the writers, and I think it showed in the quality and enthusiasm in the entries; thank you for your kind words and the Honor...congratulations to all the entries, we all grow when we try new and different things, ...challenges...PK -
Thank you two fabulous ladies for an awesome contest! I had such a grand time and great inspiration...but what else could I expect from such goddesses of poetry as you two?
Congrats to all the winners!
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I know I've said, I'm honored before, but after reading some of these entries, ( tomorrow, I'll read more), I am. What a hard job you gals had, and I'm touched you found something in mine that you both appreciated.
Thanks again.
And, big congrats to Stuart and Pk! As well as to many others!
*kisses and hugs to our hostesses*
Love you goils.
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Thanks for the opportunity to mix with the best poets on this site for this contest. If nothing else I learnt much from the poets in this contest and appreciate the thoughtful and constructive comments left by both youself Nic and Allyce too. Thanks again
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